Improvement in electro-magnetic vapor-baths



J. A. HOFFMAN.

improvement in Electra-Magnetic Vapor-Baths,

No. 129,561. 527/ Patented July 16, 1872.

PE" mmiillum 4M PHOTO-LITHUCRAPHM 00.1%! (GSSDIVNIS PROCESS,

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIOE. I

JOHN A. HOFFMAN, OF MENDOTA, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC VAPOR-BATHS.

, Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,561, dated July16, 1872.

Specification describing certain Improvements in Electro-MagneticVapor-Baths, invented by JOHN A. HOFFMAN, residing at -Mendota, in thecounty of La Salle and State sists in certain novel arrangements ofparts,

and in the use of a pole-changer, by means of which the physician isenabled to subject either the entire body or only certain parts of it tothe action of the electric currents, as well as to reverse the directionof such currents.

Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of my improved electro-magneticvapor-bath. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is also avertical section taken in a plane at right angles to the section shownin Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows the pole-changer in elevation.

The same letters of reference are employed in all the figures in thedesignation of identical parts.

The patient under treatment undres'ses and seats himself on a stool, B,in a box, A, so constructed that it may be closed air-tight, the head ofthe patient protruding through a suitable aperture in the top of the boxabove the stool. An ordinary electro-m edical apparatus, 0, is employed,and connected, by wires F and G, to a galvanic battery, D, in such amanner that the course of the current may be reversed. To this end thesewires are connected to a pole changer or reverser, E, which is made of anonconductor, but provided with metallic bands e at the ends forconnection with the batterywires and the copper posts 0 c or c c. Theposts a and c are in connection with the wire H and the posts 0 and cwith the wire I, so that, by changing the reverser E from the posts 0and c to the posts 0 c, the flow of the current of electricity throughthe wires H and I, when brought in circuit, may be reversed. The wire Hgoes to the copper plate H on the back-rest of the stool B, near theupper end, so as to come in contact with the upper portion of the spinalcolumn. The wire I terminates in an electrode, I, in the tub K, which isto be partly filled with hot water to soak the patients feet in. Thinw-ires L and M branch off from the main wire I, both terminating inelectrodes, as shown, to be taken hold of by the patient with his hands.The wire L runs behind the back-rest of the stool, and is connected withthe plate L, with which the lower part of the patients spinal column maybe brought into contact. Steam is admitted into the box through the pipeN after the patient has been placed therein with his feet in the tub ofwarm water.

When the system attains to the requisite heat and relaxation theelectricity is turned on as follows, the patient having taken hold ofthe electrodes on the wires L and M: The reverser standing on the posts0 c, the current enters the body at H and flows out through the handsand feet. By turning the reverser onto the posts 0" c the direction ofthe current will be reversed.

The current may also be sent through portions of the body only, ifdesired, by simply disconnecting the other parts. Thus, to send acurrent from the neck to the right hand, disconnect the body from theplate L and the feet and left hand from their respective electrodes. Inlike manner may the current of electricity be passed through other partsof the body by properly making connections and disconnections.

What I claim as my invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An electromagnetic vapor-bath, combining in its construction a box, A,battery D,'the wires from which are connected to a reverser,

E, and circuit-wires, arranged substantially as specified, so thatcurrents may be sent through the whole or only portions of the body, andin either direction.

JOHN A. HOFFMAN. Witnesses:

JOSEPH HUNTER, L. B. Grooms.

